Improvement in game-boards



J. D. SPANG.

Game-Boards.

NO.148,995 PatentedMarch 24,1874.

Wimesses: In enmr:

"Attorneys.

UNITED STATES JACOB mauve srmve, or DAYTON, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN GAME-BOARDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 148,995, dated March 24, 1874; application filed February 20, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB D. SPANG, of Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved Portable Toy Race-Track for Field and Parlor Amusement; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of the mimic racecourse, and Fig. 2 a longitudinal section.

The invention relates to and consists in means whereby may be produced a portable toy race-track, as hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

A represents the race-field track or platform, which is inclined when in use and surrounded by a mimic fence or inclosure, B. G is the starting-station, in which representative horses or rotary balls D are placed, the horses or balls being severally marked or distinctively notated, and the number being, of course, optional, but preferably thirty-six. A bottom-hinged gate, E, is held across the outlet by cords c c, which pass through holes in the platform or track.

As soon as this gate is depressed the balls will pass out, being impelled by the force of their own gravity. They will first encounter posts F, arranged in transverse rows, the individual posts of two rows not being opposite or in alignment, but each one occupying a median position between the two nearest posts of the opposite row. The balls will be retarded. more or less by the posts, as well as diverted from their course, but will all come to the crosshurdle G, which is inclined on the face that is opposite to the starting-station 0. They will move over this and pass through the three rows of posts F to and over a second hurdle, G. In passing through the next section of the racecourse, two transverse rows of stables or stops, H, pill be met by some of the balls, which will be caught and stopped, while others will escape, though interrupted by the intermediate cross-row of posts F They will now pass over hurdle G and some he caught in the stops or stables H, while one or more will probably reach the goal I, above which is supposed to be the judges stand J. Those which succeed in reaching goal I will not, however, arrive simultaneously, but successively, thus enabling the one arriving first to be accounted the winner and to score the highest number or count in the game, while others are allowed a count according to their relative time of arrival.

The game may be played by allotting to each person engaged his due proportion of the balls, which may be supposed to be marked from 1 to 36. If three persons, A B 0, play together, A will take balls running from 1 to 12 inclusive, B from 13 to 24 inclusive, and G the remainder. Around the edges of hurdles may be inserted stakes or pegs K, to increase the similitude to an ordinary race-course.

If desired, low counts may be allowed for those who reach the stables, the rate of count being according to their approximation to the goal; but this is not at all necessary, and would, perhaps, only complicate the game.

This toy race-course will serve as an unfailing source of amusement to the children and those of larger growth both in the house and in the open air. I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is-- 1. A toy race-course having the inolosure B, a starting-station, rows of transverse posts, cross -hurdles, stables, and a final goal, arranged as and for the purpose specified.

2. In toy race-courses, a starting-station, 0, having the bottom-hinge gate 0, as and for the purpose specified.

3. A toy race-course, substantially as described, provided with hurdles G, arranged as and for the purpose specified.

JACOB DARING SPANG.

Witnesses:

W. A. MGLEAN, SAML. W. Fox. 

